Suspect in Gretz bomb threat, Norristown, surrenders

Roberta Brown, 50, of Villanova, was charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction, terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. District Judge Margaret Hunsicker signed the warrant for Brown’s arrest Friday.

Brown was remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

Michael Gretz, the company president, called 911 on Wednesday at 5:16 p.m., telling police his wife said there was an undetonated bomb at the Gretz offices, located at 710 E. Main St.

Brown allegedly made the threat while at a domestic relations hearing in Norristown with her husband and their attorney, according to police. The affidavit states that while in they were hallway together, Brown grabbed her necklace and told Gretz it was an undetonated bomb.

When Gretz and Brown returned to the hearing, Gretz reported the threat to the hearing master, Mindy Harris, who questioned Brown about the threat. Brown responded by saying that she was showing Gretz a gift her sister gave to her, according to police.

Gretz told police that within a half hour of the hearing he received a call from an employee who said his wife had come to the building and dropped off a large black bag. Gretz then called police.

A witness says he observed Brown park her Range Rover and bring a black bag to the entrance door, police said.

A second witness said that Brown came to the door and requested to take a package to Gretz’s personal office. The witness said she led Brown to the office, where Brown put the black bag on the floor, according to police. Brown then left the building, police said.

By 5:30 p.m. police were evacuating the employees at Gretz, Mental Health Associates, Suburban Life Publishing Co., Pride Enterprises and the Barton Partners law firm.

Gretz told police that there was no reason for Brown to visit the offices, and that few of the employees knew who she is.

On the scene, the Norristown police called the Montgomery County Bomb Squad, which found the black bag after a search, took X-rays and determined that there was no bomb inside.